Long story short

Our opinions: We weigh in briefly on missing Troy street lamps, a new effort to reduce HIV, and Albany County’s failed cyberbulling law.

Not even a yellow glare seen on Troy streets

On this holiday weekend associated with light-show marvels in the sky, the city of Troy needs a reminder that often a good old light bulb and pole will do just fine on solid ground. In fact, they do better than fine when illuminating a stretch as heavily traveled as Hoosick Street.

Times Union columnist Chris Churchill reported last week that at least seven streetlights between Eighth and Lake streets are missing, most often replaced with orange traffic cones, which, of course, aren’t known for their luminosity, nor their capacity to help motorists see pedestrians or other vehicles. Some streetlights have been missing for years.

Troy officials say the lights will be replaced soon. But, come on, why did it take so long?

HIV prevention, treatment focus hailed

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to make the incidence of HIV no more prevalent than tuberculosis by 2020 is being lauded across the state, as it should be.

The governor said new diagnoses could be down to 750 per year by boosting testing, reducing new infections, expanding treatment and continuing to provide access to condoms, public outreach campaigns and other initiatives.

If the state is successful, according to The Associated Press, it would be the first time the number of people living with HIV has gone down since 1981.

Do-over ordered for cyberbullying law

Albany County is right that a sliver of speech — when the cyberbullying of children crosses the line to harassment — should be treated as criminally akin to a misdemeanor. But the New York Court of Appeals also is right that the existing law is overly broad.

“On its face,” wrote Associate Judge Victoria Graffeo in the 5-2 majority decision, “the law covers communications aimed at adults, and fictitious or corporate entities, even though the County Legislature justified passage of the provision based on the detrimental effects that cyberbullying has on school-aged children.”

County leaders need to try again, this time aiming more precisely at the harassment of children.